Liverpool win over Sunderland

Liverpool kept up their momentum with a 2-0 win at Sunderland in the English Premier League on Saturday.

sportsUpdated: Jun 07, 2012 17:01 IST

Robin Millard AFP

Liverpool kept up their momentum with a 2-0 win at Sunderland in the English Premier League on Saturday as leaders Manchester City prepared to do battle at Arsenal.

Mali midfielder Mohamed Sissoko scored with a shot from the edge of the penalty box in the 37th minute to set Liverpool on their way at the Stadium of Light.

Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin finished off Roy Keane's newly-promoted side with three minutes to go, neatly turning his marker in the box before tucking his shot inside Craig Gordon's far post.

Maintaining their unbeaten start to the season, Liverpool gave themselves a confidence boost going in to Tuesday's Champions League qualifier second leg against Toulouse. The Reds lead 1-0 from the first leg in south-west France.

Meanwhile a second straight defeat for last season's Championship winners Sunderland will do nothing to please combative boss Keane, a man who does not take losing lightly.

Manchester City, the only team to have won three out of three so far this season, were looking to keep their surprise run going in their clash at Emirates in north London.

Arsenal were to rest Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann -- who may well have been dropped were it not for an achilles injury.

Chelsea, breathing down City's necks, host fifth-placed Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge, with Blues boss Jose Mourinho hoping the visitors feel the sharp end of his attack -- and fail to capitalise on their somewhat shaky defending of late.

Fourth-placed Everton host Blackburn at Goodison Park.

Wigan, third in the table, travel to West Ham, who are hoping to get a second win out of their hefty spending on new players.

Newly-promoted sides Derby and Birmingham were both winless and in the bottom three but one side had the chance to escape the relegation zone in their clash at Pride Park.

The two sides had not met in the top flight since 1978.

Rock-bottom Bolton host Reading, who have one of the most resilient defences in the division.

Elswehere, Fulham travel to Aston Villa.

In Sunday's action, champions Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur, with both clubs desperate for a victory.

United are yet to win this season, while Spurs boss Martin Jol could badly do with three points to ward off speculation he is about to be sacked.